Chapter 438: Chapter 120: Candlelit Night Conversations

Following the patrolling soldiers, he arrived at the courtyard garden of the inner residence of Jaffa City, where he was received by a sleepy-looking housekeeper.

“Please wait a moment, Lord. His Highness is preparing himself, and if the ladies are tired, they may go and rest. It’s late at night, and His Highness cannot entertain so many people at once.”

Losa glanced at the group. Furinjira was already yawning; this young girl’s lifestyle was too healthy, quite unlike a vampire’s.

“You all may rest now.”

Late at night, alone among men and women…

Jeanne frowned and pointed a finger at her nose, indicating her sharp sense of smell. Losa immediately understood, smiling helplessly and nodding.

This one feared for her reputation here.

Chelina frowned and said, “My Lord, as your chief guard, should I stay by your side?”

Losa shook his head, “No need. I trust the guards of Princess Sibilla to completely ensure our safety; everyone has worked hard these days. There’s still some time until dawn; you’d better get some rest.”

At dawn, they’d have to travel tirelessly to Hebron again.

The housekeeper respectfully responded, “Lady, rest assured. Here, no one can harm the Lord.”

Chelina nodded slightly, “I understand.”

The housekeeper added, “Your mount, we’ve arranged someone to attend to it; but I heard from the groom earlier that your horse eats meat. He wasn’t sure if he heard correctly, so he asked me to inquire again.”

“Indeed, Eclipse eats meat, thank you.”

Losa replied graciously.

Eclipse is a Unihorn Nightmare Beast, not an immortal undead, naturally requiring sustenance, and with an astonishing appetite, consuming more than half of the food stocked on the Ocean Disaster.

Fortunately, Jeanne’s “Grape” followed the veteran soldiers back to the Holy Land in advance, otherwise, on the ship, who knows what kind of trouble “Eclipse” would have caused.

Soon, Losa was invited into the room.

This was a guest room with a long table, with shields, swords, tapestries hanging on the side walls, incense burning on the windowsill, and the candlelight on the iron lampstand illuminating the room brightly.

Princess Sibilla sat opposite the long table, lightly adorned with makeup, wearing a black cloak.

“Your Highness, good evening. I’m sorry for the intrusion at this late hour.”

“Did you just arrive at the Holy Land?”

“Yes.”

“Many people said you wouldn’t return.”

Sibylla’s gaze at Losa was somewhat complex; she also thought Losa would stay in Constantinople, whether it was for the noble caster, the eldest princess born with privilege, or the exalted Empress of the Empire.

“They might be disappointed.”

Losa appeared indifferent; the prospects in Constantinople were certainly alluring, but behind the fine wine and delicacies, there might be hidden poison. Rather than rising swiftly, he preferred the path he originally envisioned.

An attendant poured red wine for the two.

“These wine glasses?”

Losa examined the glass, its sheen not particularly bright, but at least semi-translucent white.

“Indeed, these were tested in your workshop after you left.”

Unexpectedly, Marles improved the glass-making process quickly, already producing finished products so soon.

Losa was a bit delighted, as these glasses were definitely more attractive than those produced in Egypt’s glass workshop.

Sibylla folded her hands under her chin, her gaze held both admiration and reluctance, “I sometimes really wonder, how does a minor noble from the mountains know so much?”

“Thanks to Heavenly Father’s blessing.”

Losa curtly replied.

She didn’t press further but asked instead, “His Majesty the King’s illness has healed; is this your achievement?”

Losa shook his head, “It’s the achievement of Bishop Urding; his medical skills are outstanding, which is something all Jerusalem nobles should know.”

“But Father Urding is your man.”

Losa chuckled quietly.

“I heard that your Steward of the Holy Vault gathered an army of over ten thousand in your territory. Truly, times have changed; how long did it take you to possess such power? The lords who know this news must be amazed.”

An army of over ten thousand already accounted for a third of the mobile forces Jerusalem could muster.

Losa smiled wryly, “Just a futile display of military strength. If this battle prolongs, who knows how much grain and money will be consumed, and development in the territory will be forced to halt.”

If the losses were too severe, his previous recruitment of pilgrim settlers would be almost in vain.

These were all able-bodied adults.

The army is so, and so are the logistics personnel.

The entirety of Transjordan was like a taut bowstring, at risk of collapsing if strained for too long.

This is not the same as when Duke William of Normandy, William the Conqueror, attacked Albion.

At that time, Duke William could gather numerous nobles and knights from supporters, who were equivalent to William’s investors. The reward had been advanced by William, which was to grant them land after taking Albion.

In contrast, Losa’s troops are all real farmer soldiers.

“Who isn’t, though.”

Princess Sibylla sighed softly.

During this period, throughout Central and Western Europe, only the population of the Gaul region was around ten million, and the territories were even more limited but richer in the Apennine Peninsula states, with a combined population of over seven million.

In contrast, Germania, which appeared more expansive than Gaul, had a population not even surpassing that of the states of the Apennine Peninsula. This is also why successive German Emperors were committed to incorporating the Apennine Peninsula under their control.

By comparison.

The population of the Kingdom of Jerusalem amounted to less than a million, only equivalent to small countries like the Gael Kingdom in Europe. Relying on this population to support a field army of no less than thirty thousand, and dispatch adequate personnel to transport supplies, is quite a challenging task.

This place is far from mainland Europe, making it even difficult to hire reliable mercenaries with money.

The nearest Christian nation is the Kingdom of Armenia, which adheres to the Apostolic Church.

They are caught between the Turkic people and the Ayyubid, too busy to help themselves, at most dispatching an expeditionary force for symbolic support, without even knowing when it might arrive.

Both the Greeks and the Germans have their eyes set on Sicily.

The Gauls and the Albionians are also holding back.

Jerusalem is in an unprecedented state of isolation.

With a hint of sarcasm in Losa’s tone: “When I set out for the Holy Land, I heard that several princes from Gaul had dispatched a grand Crusade, yet they’ve still not arrived.”

Scattered Gaul Crusader nobles always existed since Gaul was indeed the main force of the Crusades, with the Germanic Crusaders ranking second at best.

But they never formed a substantial scale.

Count Leopold of Austria also promised to participate in the Eastern Expedition, now probably stuck in the chaos of Sicily, unable to extricate himself. This is a snapshot of the current situation of the European Crusaders, utterly unreliable.

Sibylla sighed: “Everyone battles for their own selfish desires, justice and truth have become mere empty talk. As you mentioned in the court meeting, we can only rely on ourselves.”

In the last war, the Crusader Princes already realized that the rulers of Europe were unreliable unless the Holy Land falls; otherwise, they would never risk coming to rescue a kingdom with no real benefit to themselves.

“Let’s hope we can achieve ultimate victory.”

Losa made a cross over his chest.

The comparison of power between us and the enemy shouldn’t be too vastly disproportionate, after all, the Kingdom of Jerusalem has mobilized the entire nation’s military strength, whereas Saladin is limited by his transport capabilities and can pull together tens of thousands at most.

“Speaking of which, the excuse for Saladin declaring war on us this time still falls on you.”

Losa was momentarily stunned, helplessly saying: “You mean about me conquering Rauf’s territory, right.”

It’s true that he was at fault for waging war on Zane, but there was also the excuse of Zane abducting Reynard’s fiancée. As for the subsequent war with Rauf, Rauf initiated the declaration of war against him.

“You anticipated it in advance?”

“If Saladin wants to declare war, he can find a hundred reasons. I must be grateful for His Majesty the King’s good health, able to quickly stabilize the situation at this time and take charge.”

“The new pope’s emissary, a cardinal named Sebastian, has set his sights on your New Habsburg, intending to lease land there. If it weren’t for His Majesty the King’s recovery, he would have certainly moved against you.”

“Targeting New Habsburg?”

Losa furrowed his brow.

This wasn’t entirely unexpected for him.

He wanted to control both secular and church power in his territory, certainly offending the church.

A miracle like the Tree of Life, hidden without being coveted, would be strange indeed.

“Indeed, especially since it’s a miracle of Heavenly Father on earth. Some monks have claimed that the divine tree is the Tree of Wisdom recorded in the New Testament. Eating its fruit grants the ultimate worldly wisdom.”

Her tone was composed, yet she continued: “Some monks rebut, stating that this divine tree is the legendary Tower of Babel, destined to grow infinitely, extending straight into the Celestial Kingdom.”

Losa pondered deeply.

Just then, he noticed Sibylla staring at him intently: “Tell me, what truly is it, I know you’re aware.”

This time, Losa did not evade, frankly saying: “Just an oak tree rich in life force. It won’t grow infinitely, isn’t any Tower reaching the heavens, and certainly doesn’t bear any wisdom fruit. Its greatest use is for afforestation.”

With sincerity, Sibylla said: “Are you telling the truth?”

Losa earnestly replied: “Of course, it’s true.”

“Even so, it’s an extraordinary miracle.”

Afforestation isn’t much for other places, but in the arid deserts of the Holy Land, perhaps it’s more effective than any Tower of Babel or Tree of Wisdom.

Sibylla fell silent for a moment, then said: “I am a woman, unable to go directly onto the battlefield. Since you depart from me, lead my troops under your command and head for Jerusalem together. I only hope, my lord, you can win this war for the Holy Land, for Jerusalem.”

Losa stood up, sincerely saying: “I will do my utmost.”

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